Premature ejaculation (PE) is a condition when a man ejaculates sooner than he or his partner expects during sexual activity. It is medically diagnosed if ejaculation happens within 1 to 3 minutes of intercourse[1][2] and can be prevented through the use of clinically proven premature ejaculation treatments.
This guide explains the causes and treatments of premature ejaculation and addresses common misconceptions using evidence-based information.
What factors can cause premature ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation can have physical, psychological and lifestyle-related causes, and more than one factor may contribute at the same time.
These factors can overlap. For example, anxiety about sexual performance may trigger physical responses that can increase the risk of PE.
Recommended reading: How to Stop Premature Ejaculation - The Definitive Guide
Physical causes of premature ejaculation
The physical causes of premature ejaculation include problems affecting blood circulation, heart health, and the balance of hormones in the body. They include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure can potentially damage blood vessels and harden arteries in the body[3], reducing blood flow to the genital area which may contribute to premature ejaculation.
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can cause persistently high blood sugar levels, which may damage nerves over time. This is known as diabetic neuropathy. If the nerves involved in sexual function are affected, this may increase the risk of premature ejaculation[4].
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) can affect the body’s metabolic processes, heightening sensitivity and impairing ejaculatory reflexes that help control ejaculation timing[5].
Psychological causes of premature ejaculation
- Stress: Stress triggers the production of certain hormones such as cortisol which can affect sexual processes. Elevated cortisol levels in the blood can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters involved in sexual arousal and ejaculatory control, such as serotonin, impairing sexual function[6].
- Performance anxiety: Anxiety about sexual performance can increase activity in the sympathetic nervous system, leading to heightened arousal during the early stages of sexual activity[7]. It can also make someone more focused on physical sensations during sex, which can increase the risk of ejaculating prematurely
- Depression: Imbalances in the brain’s levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are linked to feelings of depression and may amplify performance anxiety, contributing to an increase in the risk of ejaculating prematurely.
Lifestyle-related factors that can cause premature ejaculation
- Recreational drug usage: Recreational drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis can alter the brain’s levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin which are involved in arousal and ejaculatory regulation[8]. Therefore, the use of recreational drugs can affect how an individual feels aroused and how long it takes for them to ejaculate.
- Excessive alcohol intake: Alcohol has been found to impair the brain’s ability to regulate sexual arousal and affect the body’s balance of serotonin and dopamine, increasing the risk of experiencing premature ejaculation.
Which premature ejaculation treatments can help manage the condition
Premature ejaculation pills
Priligy is one of the most commonly used oral premature ejaculation treatments. Its active ingredient, dapoxetine, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which works by enhancing serotonin levels.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that passes messages within the nervous system. If taken 1-3 hours before intercourse, Priligy prevents the reuptake of serotonin, delaying the time for serotonin to transmit the message of ejaculation to the relevant areas of the brain, slowing down the process and therefore preventing early climax.
Recommended reading: How Does Priligy Work?
Premature ejaculation spray
STUD 100 is a popular spray used to treat early climax. It contains the active ingredient lidocaine, which is a local anaesthetic. Lidocaine blocks sodium channels on nerve endings, preventing the initiation and transmission of nerve impulses, resulting in reduced sensation and delayed ejaculation, providing better control and longer duration of sexual activity.
Common misconceptions about premature ejaculation
Viagra can help treat premature ejaculation
Viagra does not help treat premature ejaculation as it is formulated to increase blood flow to the penis rather than delaying the ejaculatory reflex. Therefore, while Viagra may improve erectile function, it does not directly influence the timing of ejaculation:
Viagra can be taken with Priligy to treat premature ejaculation
Taking Priligy with erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure, causing fainting and dizziness.
Alcohol can help reduce the risk of experiencing premature ejaculation
According to research, alcohol increases the risk of ejaculating prematurely, rather than preventing the condition. Individuals who experience premature ejaculation are recommended to drink alcohol moderately, especially if they are taking Priligy as this can slow down reactions and cause the individual to faint or become dizzy.
Certain foods can help prevent premature ejaculation
There is no current scientific evidence to suggest a direct causal link between nutritional changes and the risk of experiencing premature ejaculation.
However, some foods may contribute to an increased risk of experiencing premature ejaculation due to their effects on the body’s metabolism and hormonal balance.
For instance, excessive sugar consumption can lead to metabolic imbalances that cause reduced testosterone levels and increased oestrogen levels, triggering changes in sex drive that affect a man’s ejaculatory control.
Hypnosis can help with premature ejaculation
There is some evidence to suggest that guided hypnosis sessions can help individuals treat anxiety and trauma[10]. As such, hypnosis may help reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system and delay the ejaculatory reflex in individuals who experience premature ejaculation, but the link is weak and insufficiently supported by studies.
Men with premature ejaculation are therefore advised to consult a pharmacist or GP about clinically proven treatment options such as Priligy instead of resorting to hypnosis to treat premature ejaculation.
Natural premature ejaculation treatments are effective
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that natural premature ejaculation treatments, such as supplements and herbs, can help delay ejaculation. It is strongly recommended to avoid such treatments as they lack clinical testing and may be harmful.
Recommended reading: 5 Common Premature Ejaculation Myths, Debunked
What is the best premature ejaculation treatment?
According to research, 88% of the male participants in a study on premature ejaculation reported Priligy 30 mg to be an effective premature ejaculation treatment[9]. Another study found that lidocaine, the active ingredient in STUD 100 spray, is more effective at treating premature ejaculation than alternative topical PE treatments.
The best treatment for premature ejaculation depends on individual responses to treatment and which of the main factors that cause this condition apply to the individual in question.
It is also important to follow the instructions in the patient information leaflets for these treatments regarding dosage and how often you use them. This can help individuals avoid developing a tolerance to certain treatments such as dapoxetine, which may reduce its effectiveness.
Recommended reading: How to Last Longer in Bed - Treatments and Techniques
Summary
Managing the various physical, psychological and lifestyle factors that can cause premature ejaculation requires a thorough understanding of the condition and the use of clinically proven premature ejaculation treatments, such as those available at Pharmica.
We offer fast and discreet UK-wide delivery on all premature ejaculation treatments and have earned a 4.9/5 rating from more than 215,000 reviews for the quality of our treatments and service.
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